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BLOODBATH
"Nightmares
Made Flesh" (Century Media; 2005)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Featuring some of the most prolific behind-the-scenes members in the worldwide metal scene -- in the form of Dan Swano (Edge of Sanity) and Peter Tagtgren (Hypocirisy, Pain) -- the Swedish quintet Bloodbath slams down some a righteous ruckus on "Nightmares Made Flesh."
This 12-track splattering is a devious display of pulverizing metal, complete with an ominous guitar tone that rings out throughout songs like "Cancer of the Soul" and "Eaten." Driving grooves like "Year of the Cadaver Race" remind you of the good old days of Gothenburg, while the grinding pace of "Stillborn Saviour" rivals anything on the scene today on sheer brutality.
Diabolical and devilishly delicious, Bloodbath's latest release will satisfy even the most discerning metalhead's cravings for blood, guts, gore, and utter metal glory.
For more information, check out http://www.bloodbath.biz.
"Breeding
Death" (Century Media; 2000)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Bloodbath is a death metal super group side project with members who have played with Opeth, Katatonia, Diabolical Masquerade, and Edge Of Sanity. The four tormented souls of Bloodbath got together to write a death metal EP that pays homage to early '80s American death metal - this is a "retro" project to really get excited about.
The short recording sessions produced three tracks of grinding, deranged, thrash-minded early '80s-influenced death metal. The songs are tight and explosive; the vocals have a bit of a black metal tint to the guttural death metal approach. The guitars and bass are crisp and the drumming is solid and pounding.
The three tracks on this EP are pointed reminders of the far-reaching scope and influence that bands like Slayer, Obituary, and Cannibal Corpse have had on the music scene across the globe. Each song is respectful of death metal's place in the history of heavy and extreme music. I particularly liked "Furnace Funeral" for its simple driving riff and gothic ending. The title track is smashing while "Ominous Bloodvomit" is rooted in the true death metal style.
Although Bloodbath has greater technical skills than the artists of the genre they're providing testament to it doesn't make it any less enjoyable to hear. It would be great to hear more music from this insanely talented outfit, but there are no guarantees from the band that a full-length will ever see the light of day. I, for one, am hoping for a full-length as soon as possible.
Bloodbath: Mikael Akerfeldt on vocals, Anders Nystrom on guitar, Jonas Renske on bass, and Dan Swano on drums. All three songs were recorded at Swano's own Sanctuary studio.
For more information, check out http://www.bloodbath.biz.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
